The Great Crash

"Ladies and gentlemen! After the public-opinion campaigns we launched across various countries and more than half a year of continued fermentation, a large number of foreign investors had arrived in position with enormous amounts of capital.

After a slight decline caused by tulip bulb deliveries, prices had rebounded strongly within a single day. But since everyone was waiting for tulips to appreciate further, very few bulbs were circulating on the market.

I believe it was time to release the Futures Contracts in our hands onto the market. The first shot of winter tulip trading would be fired by the 'Eye of Wealth.'"

In the circular conference room, Argo, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, spoke eloquently from the podium.

A distinctive emblem of a ruler, compass, and golden eye hung on the central wall. This was clearly an internal meeting of the "Eye of Wealth."

The "Eye of Wealth" had initially been nothing more than a secret society formed by major bankers and capitalists from various nations.

But after seizing power in the Lowland Republic, they had openly stepped into the spotlight and gained tremendous economic and political influence.

They possessed a magnificent headquarters building in Antwerp City, as well as their own independent armed forces.

Upon hearing Argo's introduction and comparing it with their own market research, these fabulously wealthy members of the organization were all tempted.

They had never intended to actually collect next year's bulbs according to the tulip contracts. Moreover, none of the Big Shots present were fools; they all understood that greater returns came with greater risks.

Still, driven by profit, everyone wanted to sell at the peak and gain the greatest possible return.

And the reason this consortium, which monopolized next year's output, existed was precisely to ensure that outcome.

"Although the prophets and priests of the